Collapsible radio terminal, conversion start method and conversion start program

ABSTRACT

The invention aims at providing a folding type radio terminal, a call start method and a call start program which allows the user to start a call with a simple operation. On the folding type radio terminal, when a motor driving button is pressed while an incoming signal is being received with a top lid open with respect to a main unit, a controller drives a motor to open the top lid. When a top lid state detector has detected that the top lid is fully open or a predetermined time is measured by the timer from the driving of the motor, the controller  155  shuts down the motor. The controller performs call connection processing in response to the incoming signal so as to place the radio terminal in the call state. This starts a call.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a folding type radio terminal, acall start method and a call start program which provide the call-readystate with a simple operation.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A call by using a folding type portable telephone set isperformed usually with unfolding the telephone set. When a call arrivesto a folding type portable telephone set, the user unfolds the foldingtype structure of the telephone set with his/her hands and presses anoff-hook button to start calling. The Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.60145/1989 (Patent No. 2015664) discloses a portable telephone set whichautomatically answers an incoming call when its folding type structureis unfolded with the hands of the user. The portable telephone setdescribed in the patent gazette comprises a folding type cabinet,unfolding/folding detecting means for detecting unfolding/folding of thecabinet and call signal detecting means for detecting a call signal.When the cabinet changes from the closed state to open state while acall signal is terminating, the portable telephone set is automaticallyplaced in the call state.

[0005] In this way, the related art portable telephone set requires anaction of unfolding the cabinet although this action automaticallyplaces the portable telephone set in the call state. Unfolding/Foldingof the cabinet is usually made with both hands of the user. The usertakes time in unfolding the cabinet when one of his/her hands isoccupied, which delays the answer. Thus, a folding type portabletelephone set which requires only a simple operation to answer anincoming call without using both hands of the user has been in demand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention has been accomplished in view of the aforementionedrelated art circumstances and aims at providing a folding type radioterminal, a call start method and a call start program which provide thecall-ready state with a simple operation.

[0007] In order to solve the problems, a first aspect the invention is afolding type radio terminal having a top lid foldable with respect to amain unit, characterized in that the folding type radio terminalcomprises top lid opening/closing means for opening/closing the top lidwith respect to the main unit, switch means for starting the operationof the top lid opening/closing means, and control means for controllingthe driving of the top lid opening/closing means to controlcommunications connection of the radio terminal in accordance with theopen/closed state of the top lid and communications connection state ofthe radio terminal to control the communications connection of the radioterminal.

[0008] A second aspect of the invention is a radio terminal according tothe invention, characterized in that, when the switch means is operatedwhile an incoming signal is being received with the top lid open withrespect to the main unit, the top lid opening/closing means is driven byway of the driving control by the control means to open the top lid andthat the control means responds to the incoming signal to perform callconnection processing thus placing the radio terminal in the call state.This provides a radio terminal with good operability and makes itpossible to start a call with a simple operation even when the top lidis closed.

[0009] A third aspect of the invention is a radio terminal comprisingtop lid opening/closing detecting means for detecting the open/closedstate of the top lid, characterized in that the control means stops theoperation of the top lid opening/closing means when the top lidopening/closing means has detected that the top lid has changed from theclosed state to the fully open state or from the open state to the fullyclosed state.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the invention is a radio terminal comprisingdriving time measuring means for measuring the driving time of the toplid opening/closing means, characterized in that the control means stopsthe operation of the top lid opening/closing means when the time ofmeasurement by the driving time measuring means has reached apredetermined time.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the invention is a radio terminal characterizedin that the radio terminal is placed in the call state after the top lidopening/closing means is shut down. Thus, unlike a case where callconnection processing is performed simultaneously with driving of thetop lid opening/closing means, there is no such trouble that a sound ofthe top lid opening/closing means enters a microphone in the call stateor a noise, etc. of the top lid opening/closing means has an adverseeffect on the communication state.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the invention is a radio terminal,characterized in that, when the switch means is operated while the toplid is open with respect to the main unit and the radio terminal is inthe call connection state, the control means releases the callconnection and drives the top lid opening/closing means to close the toplid. This allows operation from release of call connection to closing ofthe top lid only via operation of switch means.

[0013] A seventh aspect of the invention is a radio terminal comprisingsetting storage means in which is set whether the control meansautomatically performs call connection processing in response to anincoming signal when the switch means is operated while the incomingsignal is being received with the top lid closed with respect to themain unit, characterized in that the control means performs the callconnection processing in accordance with the setting stored in thesetting storage means.

[0014] An eighth aspect of the invention is a radio terminal,characterized in that, in case whether to perform the call connectionprocessing is set per registered individual or registered number, orregistered group in the setting storage means, the control meansdetermines whether to perform the call connection processing from thesetting stored in the setting storage means and the originating numberincluded in the incoming signal, and in case the originating numberinstructs the call connection processing, the control means performs thecall connection processing. In this way, the radio terminal performscall connection processing after the top lid is open or awaits nextoperation without performing call connection processing. Thus the userof the radio terminal can start a call after checking the caller.

[0015] A ninth aspect of the invention is a radio terminal comprisingmuting means for muting a sound input via a microphone, characterized inthat, when the switch means is operated while an incoming signal isbeing received with the top lid closed with respect to the main unit,the control means performs driving control to drive the top lidopening/closing means to open the top lid and responds to the incomingsignal to place the radio terminal in the call state thereby performingcall connection processing, and the muting means starts to operate, andthat the muting means stops its operation when the top lid is fully openor the driving time of the top lid opening/closing means has reached apredetermined time. In this way, it is possible to operate the mutingsection to prevent a noise of the top lid opening/closing means fromreaching the caller.

[0016] A tenth aspect of the invention is a radio terminal,characterized in that, when the switch means is operated while the toplid is closed with respect to the main unit and the radio terminal isnot in the communications connection state, the control means performsdriving control to drive the top lid opening/closing means to open thetop lid.

[0017] An eleventh aspect of the invention is a radio terminalcomprising a hinge section for coupling the main unit and the top lid soas to allow the top lid to rotate with respect to the main unit,characterized in that the switch means is arranged in close proximity ofthe hinge section on the side of the main unit. Thus the user of theradio terminal can readily operate the switch means with the radioterminal in his/her hands.

[0018] A twelfth aspect of the invention is a radio terminalcharacterized in that the top lid opening/closing means is provided inthe hinge section.

[0019] A thirteenth aspect of the invention is a call start method usingthe folding type radio terminal, comprising top lid opening/closingmeans for opening/closing the top lid with respect to the main unit andswitch means for starting the operation of the top lid opening/closingmeans, characterized in that, when the switch means is operated while anincoming signal is being received with the top lid closed with respectto the main unit, the method drives the top lid opening/closing means toopen the top lid and performs call connection processing to place theradio terminal in the call state in response to the incoming signal.

[0020] A fourteenth aspect of the invention is a call start programwhich uses a computer as control means included in a radio terminalaccording to any one of the first through tenth aspects of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is an external view of a radio terminal according to anembodiment of the invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration ofthe radio terminal according to the first embodiment;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a flowchart explaining a call start method using theradio terminal according to the first embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the call start method using theradio terminal according to the first embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of aradio terminal according to the second embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of aradio terminal according to the third embodiment; and

[0027]FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining a call start method using theradio terminal according to the third embodiment.

[0028] In the figures, numerals 100, 200 and 300 represent radioterminals, a numeral 001 represents a main unit, 103 a top lid, 105 ahinge section, 111 a motor, 113 an off-hook button, 115 an on-hookbutton, 119 a microphone, 121 a motor driving button, 123 a display, 125a speaker, 151 an antenna, 153 a radio section, 155 a controller, 117 anoperation button, 157 a top lid state detector, 159 a timer, 201 asetting storage section, and 301 a muting section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The radio terminal described below is a folding type radioterminal which performs call connection processing so that, when a motordriving button is pressed while an incoming signal is being receivedwith the top lid open with respect to a main unit, a motor drives thetop lid to open, thus placing the radio terminal in the call state inresponse to the incoming signal. Embodiments of the radio terminalaccording to the invention will be described in detail referring to thedrawings. While a radio terminal and a call start method using thisradio terminal according to the invention are described in detail in thefollowing description of the embodiments, a call start program is aprogram for executing the call start method so that the correspondingdescription is included in the following description of the call startmethod.

[0030]FIG. 1 is an external view of a radio terminal according to anembodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, the radio terminal of thisembodiment is a folding type cell phone or PHS comprising a main unit101, a top lid 103, and a hinge section which couples the main unit 101and the top lid 103 so that the top lid 103 can rotate with respect tothe main unit 101. In the hinge section 105 is provided a motor 111 foropening/closing the top lid 103. On the main unit 101 are provided amain unit operation button 117 and a microphone 119. In particular, onone of the right and left sides in the near proximity of the hingesection 105 is provided a motor driving button 121 for driving the motor111. On the top lid 103 are provided a display 123 and a speaker 125.

First Embodiment

[0031]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of aradio terminal according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, sectionssame as those in FIG. 1 (external view of the radio terminal) areassigned the same numerals/signs. As shown in FIG. 2, the radio terminal100 of the first embodiment comprises an antenna 151, a radio section153, a controller 155 corresponding to the control means according tothe invention, a motor 111 corresponding to the top lid opening/closingmeans, a motor driving button 121 corresponding to corresponding toswitch means, an operation button 117, and a top lid state detector 157corresponding to the top lid open/closed state detecting means.

[0032] The components of the radio terminal 100 shown in FIG. 2 will bedescribed. The motor 111, the motor driving button 121 and the operationbutton 117 are described above and the corresponding description isomitted. The antenna 151 transmits/receives a radio signal. The radiosection 153 performs modulation/demodulation, etc. of the radio signal.The controller 155 controls the components of the radio terminal 100 andprocesses the information obtained from the components. For example, thecontroller 155 recognizes that the motor driving button 121 or theoperation button 117 has been pressed, controls the driving of the motor111, recognizes the detection result of the top lid state detector 157,and controls the operation of the radio section 153. The top lid statedetector 157 detects the open/closed state of the top lid section 103,and in particular, detects whether the top lid 103 is fully open orclosed with respect to the main unit 101.

[0033] The controller 155 shuts down the motor 111 being driven when thetop lid state detector 157 has detected that the top lid has changedfrom the closed state to the fully open state or from the open state tothe fully closed state. A timer corresponding to the driving timemeasuring means according to the invention for measuring the drivingtime of the motor 111 may be provided instead of the top lid statedetector 157. In this practice, the controller 155 shuts down the motor111 when a predetermined time is measured by the timer 159 after themotor 111 is driven. Note that the predetermined time is a previouslymeasured time from when the motor 111 starts to be driven to when thetop lid reaches the fully open or fully closed state.

[0034] Next, the call start method using the folding type radio terminalaccording to this embodiment will be described referring to FIGS. 3 and4. FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts explaining the call start method usingthe radio terminal according to the first embodiment.

[0035] In step S301, when the controller 155 recognizes that the radioterminal 100 has received an incoming signal, execution proceeds to stepS303 to determine whether the top lid is open or closed. When it isdetermined that the top lid is open in step S303 and the off-hook button113 is pressed in step 305, the radio terminal 100 is placed in the callstate as shown in step S317. When it is determined that the top lid isclosed in step S303 and the motor driving button 121 is pressed in step307, the controller 155 drives the motor 111 to open the to p lid 103.

[0036] When the top lid state detector 157 has detected that the top lid103 is open or a predetermined time is measured by the timer 159 in stepS311, the controller 155 shuts down the motor 111 in step S313. In stepS315, the controller 155 performs call connection processing in responseto the incoming signal. This places the radio terminal 100 in the callstate as shown in step S317.

[0037] Next, when the motor driving button 121 is pressed in step S319shown in FIG. 4 while the radio terminal 100 is in the call state, thecall in which the radio terminal 100 is engaged is released as shown instep S321. When the call is released, the controller 155 drives themotor 111 to close the top lid 103. When the top lid state detector 157has detected that the top lid 103 is closed or a predetermined time ismeasured by the timer 159 in step S325, the controller 155 shuts downthe motor 111 in step S327. When the motor driving button 121 is notpressed in step S319 and the on-hook button 115 is pressed in step S329,the call in which the radio terminal 100 is engaged is released as shownin step S331.

[0038] In this way, in order to start a call in response to an incomingsignal, the user has only to press the motor driving button 121 whilethe top lid 103 is closed. This causes the motor 111 to open the top lid103, followed by automatic call connection processing which allows acall. While the top lid 103 is open, pressing the off-hook button startsa call. To hang up, the user presses the motor driving button 121. Thisreleases the call and causes the motor 111 to automatically close thetop lid 103. To hang up without closing the top lid 103, the userpresses the on-hook button 115.

[0039] To originate a call using the radio terminal according to thisembodiment, the user presses the motor driving button 121. This causesthe controller 155 to drive the motor 111 and open the top lid 103. Theuser selects a called party and presses the off-hook button 113 to ringthe called party.

[0040] As described hereinabove, according to the radio terminal 100 andthe call start method of this embodiment, when the motor driving, button121 is pressed while an incoming signal is being received with the toplid 103 closed, the top lid 103 is opened by the motor 111 followed byautomatic call connection processing. The user of the radio terminal 100has only to press the driving button 121 to start a call even in casethe top lid is closed. This allows the user to readily answer anincoming call even when one of his/her hands is occupied. As a result,it is possible to provide a radio terminal featuring excellentoperability.

[0041] Call connection processing is performed after the motor 111 isshut down. Thus, unlike a case where call connection processing isperformed simultaneously with driving of the top lid opening/closingmeans, there is no such trouble that a sound of the top lidopening/closing means enters a microphone in the call state or a noise,etc. of the top lid opening/closing means has an adverse effect on thecommunication state.

[0042] The motor driving button 121 is provided on one of the right andleft sides in the near proximity of the hinge section 105 on the mainunit 101. Thus the user of the radio terminal 100 can readily press themotor driving button 121 with the radio terminal in his/her hand.

Second Embodiment

[0043]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of aradio terminal according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, sectionssame as those in FIG. 2 (internal configuration of the radio terminalaccording to the first embodiment) are assigned the same numerals/signsand the corresponding description is omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, aradio terminal 200 according to the second embodiment comprises asetting storage section 201 corresponding to the setting storage meansaccording to the invention, on top of the components of the radioterminal 100 according to the first embodiment. The setting storagesection 201 stores the setting such as on whether to perform callconnection processing in response to an incoming signal received by theantenna 151 or similar setting registered per individual or directorynumber, or group. Setting of data is made by using the operation button117.

[0044] A call start method using the radio terminal 200 according tothis embodiment comprises a step of checking the setting stored in thesetting storage section 201 before starting step S315 in the flowchartshown in FIG. 3. For example, when setting is made not to automaticallyperform call connection processing, the controller 155 skips step S315in accordance with this setting but awaits the next operation while anincoming signal is being received with the top lid 103 open.

[0045] When setting is made on whether call connection processing isautomatically performed or not automatically performed per individual ordirectory number, or group, the controller 155 executes step S315 incase the originating number included in the incoming signal instructsautomatic call connection processing. Otherwise the controller 155 skipsstep S315 setting but awaits the next operation while an incoming signalis being received with the top lid 103 open.

[0046] When the user of the radio terminal 200 presses the off-hookbutton 113 after checking the originating number or caller correspondingto the originating number, the controller 155 performs the callconnection processing similar to step S315 to start a call.

[0047] As described hereinabove, according to the radio terminal 200 andthe call start method of this embodiment, the radio terminal 200performs the call connection processing after the top lid 103 is open orawaits next operation without performing this processing depending onthe registered setting. Thus the user of the radio terminal 200 cancheck the caller and start a call.

Third Embodiment

[0048]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of aradio terminal according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 6, sectionssame as those in FIG. 2 (internal configuration of the radio terminalaccording to the first embodiment) are assigned the same numerals/signsand the corresponding description is omitted. As shown in FIG. 6, aradio terminal 300 according to the third embodiment comprises a mutingsection 301 corresponding to the muting means according to theinvention, on top of the components of the radio terminal 100 accordingto the first embodiment. The muting section 301 mutes a sound input viathe microphone 119.

[0049] In this embodiment, call connection processing is performedapproximately at the same time as the driving of the motor 111 when themotor driving button 121 is pressed, unlike the case of the firstembodiment where call connection processing is performed after the motor111 is shut down. When a call is started by the call connectionprocessing, a noise of the motor 111 enters the microphone 119. Themuting section 301 is operated while the motor 111 is being driven inorder to suppress the noise.

[0050]FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining a call start method using theradio terminal according to the third embodiment. Steps S301 throughS309 and steps S317 through S331 in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the firstembodiment are the same as those in the flow of this embodiment, so thatthe corresponding description is omitted.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7, in a call start method according to thisembodiment, when the motor driving button 121 is pressed (step S307) todrive the motor 111 (step S309), the controller performs call connectionprocessing in step S701 and operates the muting section 301 as shown instep S703. Next, when the top lid state detector 157 has detected thatthe top lid 103 is open or a predetermined time is measured by the timer159 in step S705, the controller 155 shuts down the motor 111 as shownin step S707. When the controller stops the operation of the mutingsection 301 in step S709, the user can start a call using the radioterminal 300.

[0052] As described hereinabove, according to the radio terminal 300 andthe call start method of this embodiment, the controller 155 performscall connection processing approximately at the same time as itactivates the motor 111 when the motor driving button 121 is pressed.The muting section 301 is operated to prevent the sound of the motorfrom reaching the caller.

[0053] While the opening/closing operation of the top lid 103 isperformed by the motor 111 in the first through third embodiments, theopening/closing operation may be performed manually as in the relatedart. Another function may be assigned to the motor driving button 121 touse the motor driving button 121 for example as a power button, like theon-hook button 115.

[0054] While the invention has been described details and in terms ofits specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications can be made in it without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof.

[0055] This application is based on the Japanese Patent Applicationfiled Sep. 6, 2001 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-270467), thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0056] <Industrial Applicability>

[0057] As described hereinabove, a folding type radio terminal, a callstart method and a call start program allow the user to start a callwith a simple operation even when the top lid of the radio terminal isclosed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A folding type radio terminal having a top lidfoldable with respect to a main unit, said folding type radio terminalcomprising: top lid opening/closing means for opening and closing saidtop lid with respect to said main unit; switch means for starting theoperation of said top lid opening/closing means; and control means forcontrolling the driving of said top lid opening/closing means to controlcommunications connection of said radio terminal in accordance with theopening/closing state of said top lid and communications connectionstate of said radio terminal to control the communications connection ofsaid radio terminal.
 2. The radio terminal according to claim 1,wherein, when said switch means are operated while an incoming signal isbeing received with said top lid open with respect to said main unit,said control means drive said top lid opening/closing means by way ofthe driving control so as to open said top lid and performs callconnection processing by responding to said incoming signal so that theradio terminal becomes in the call state.
 3. The radio terminalaccording to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: top lid opening/closingstate detecting means for detecting the open/closed state of said toplid; wherein said control means stops the operation of said top lidopening/closing means, when said top lid opening/closing state detectingmeans detect that said top lid becomes a fully open state from theclosed state, or becomes the fully closed state from the open state. 4.The radio terminal according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:driving time measuring means for measuring the driving time of said toplid opening/closing means; wherein said control means stops theoperation of said top lid opening/closing means when the time ofmeasurement by said driving time measuring means has reached apredetermined time.
 5. The radio terminal according to claim 3 or 4,wherein said radio terminal becomes in the call state after said top lidopening/closing means is shut down.
 6. The radio terminal according toany one of the claims 1 through 5, wherein, when said switch means isoperated while said top lid is open with respect to said main unit andthe radio terminal is in the call connection state, said control meansrelease said call connection and drive said top lid opening/closingmeans so as to close said top lid.
 7. The radio terminal according toany one of claims 3 through 6, further comprising: setting storage meansin which is set whether said control means automatically performs callconnection processing in response to an incoming signal when said switchmeans is operated while said incoming signal is being received with saidtop lid closed with respect to said main unit; wherein said controlmeans performs said call connection processing in accordance with thesetting stored in said setting storage means.
 8. The radio terminalaccording to claim 7, wherein, in case whether to perform said callconnection processing is set per registered individual or registerednumber, or registered group in said setting storage means, said controlmeans determines whether to perform said call connection processing fromthe setting stored in said setting storage means and the originatingnumber included in said incoming signal, and wherein, in case saidoriginating number instructs said call connection processing, saidcontrol means performs said call connection processing.
 9. The radioterminal according to any one of the claims 1 through 8, furthercomprising: muting means for muting a sound input via a microphone;wherein, when said switch means is operated while an incoming signal isbeing received with said top lid closed with respect to said main unit,said control means performs driving control to drive said top lidopening/closing means to open said top lid and responds to said incomingsignal to place the radio terminal in the call state thereby performingcall connection processing, and said muting means starts to operate, andwherein said muting means stops operation of muting when said top lid isfully open or the driving time of said top lid opening/closing means hasreached a predetermined time.
 10. The radio terminal according to anyone of the claims 1 through 9, wherein, when said switch means isoperated while said top lid is closed with respect to the main unit andthe radio terminal is not in the communications connection state, saidcontrol means performs driving control to drive said top lidopening/closing means to open said top lid.
 11. The radio terminalaccording to any one of the claims 1 through 10, further comprising: ahinge section for coupling said main unit and said top lid so as toallow said top lid to rotate with respect to said main unit; whereinsaid switch means is arranged in close proximity of the hinge section onthe side of said main unit.
 12. The radio terminal according to claim11, wherein said top lid opening/closing means is provided in said hingesection.
 13. A call start method utilized in the folding type radioterminal having top lid opening/closing means for opening/closing saidtop lid with respect to said main unit and switch means for starting theoperation of said top lid opening/closing means, said method comprisingthe steps of: driving said top lid opening/closing means so as to opensaid top lid, when said switch means is operated while an incomingsignal is being received with said top lid closed with respect to saidmain unit; and performing call connection processing for responding tosaid incoming signal so that said radio terminal becomes in the callstate.
 14. A call start program utilized in a computer as control meansprovided in a radio terminal according to any one of claims 1 through10.